Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers

Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen is a nationally recognized mesothelioma law firm currently accepting asbestos-related lawsuits in Pennsylvania. Our firm has represented clients affected by mesothelioma in more than 65 cities and towns throughout Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to Lancaster to Pittsburgh.

Our lawyers are industry leaders on asbestos liability issues, legislation, and litigation. We have helped mesothelioma victims and their families in the Keystone State receive compensation to retrieve lost wages and recover medical expenses. With experience spanning more than two decades, our attorneys have acquired an in-depth understanding of the asbestos companies located in Pennsylvania, and we know how their business practices have caused terminal illnesses like mesothelioma in workers.

Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Pennsylvania

In most instances, mesothelioma victims or their survivors can file a mesothelioma claim in any state where they have been employed, resided, or served in the military. Even those who are not currently working, living, or providing military service in Pennsylvania may be able to file an asbestos lawsuit if the applicable exposure took place in that state.

Our experienced team of lawyers can work with you to figure out which location is best suited for your legal action. We can also provide advice about the possible ways that courts will rule given the specifics of your case, and whether a settlement is possible.

Pennsylvania Asbestos Laws

Pennsylvania has passed a number of laws that regulate the manufacture, use, and distribution of asbestos products. Many of these laws focus on improving air quality, asbestos abatement, and litigation in state courts.

Asbestos Litigation in Pennsylvania

Historically, Pennsylvania has had a high number of asbestos cases go through its court system. One estimate suggested that during the final decade of the 20th century, approximately half of all asbestos cases in the United States were filed in Pennsylvania. This is due in part to the large number of steel mills, mines, refineries, power plants, and shipyards located in the state – which has led to a high incidence of mesothelioma cases in some areas of Pennsylvania, such as Delaware County.

Because of the large number of asbestos cases handled by Pennsylvania courts, the commonwealth set up the first designated courthouse to handle complex mass tort cases filed by multiple parties. The Complex Litigation Center within the Court of Common Pleas historically has handled cases filed from outside of Pennsylvania, and according to a notice from the court, between 2001 and 2008, about one-third of the court’s asbestos cases came from out of state. As a result of this situation, the court issued a new set of rules with respect to asbestos lawsuits and other mass tort cases that, among other things, deferred punitive damage claims. Furthermore, the court provided a series of criteria related to grouping mesothelioma cases together, in an attempt to meet American Bar Association standards for resolving cases within a given timeframe.

More recently, in 2015 the Superior Court of Pennsylvania struck down use of the so-called “Any Exposure” theory. Under this theory, plaintiffs had been allowed to argue that exposure to even a single fiber of asbestos could be enough to cause mesothelioma, which would justify a legal claim. Under the Frye standard, scientific claims are admissible in court only if they are “generally accepted” by the relevant scientific community at large. In Betz v. Pneumo Abex LLC, conflicting testimony had been given by a doctor, and after several appeals, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the doctor’s testimony did not meet the Frye test, effectively ending use of the “any exposure” theory for future claims. The theory has also been rejected in a number of other states.

Asbestos Safety Guidelines in Pennsylvania

As with other states, Pennsylvania has implemented the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) standards, giving authority to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee those standards. In addition, two Pennsylvania counties have implemented their own standards related to asbestos – Philadelphia County and Allegheny County. Contractors in those counties who renovate or demolish a building or other structure must comply with these additional regulations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry oversees the occupational use of asbestos. In particular, the Asbestos Occupations Abatement Accreditation and Certification Act, passed in 1990, includes various work-related rules and regulations with regard to asbestos, including training and certification standards for inspectors, licensing of asbestos abatement professionals, and notification requirements for contractors who work with asbestos when renovating or demolishing buildings and structures.

Various sections of Chapter 299 of the Pennsylvania Code provide for the storage, containment, and transportation of asbestos within the state.

Jobsites in Pennsylvania with Documented Mesothelioma Cases

One of the highest-risk places for asbestos exposure is on the job. Many different jobsites within Pennsylvania have exposed employees to asbestos, putting them at risk of developing deadly diseases such as mesothelioma.

Our legal practice has represented clients employed at some of the largest sites in Pennsylvania where asbestos exposure took place:

Lancaster

Armstrong Cork Company

Quaker State Metals

Philadelphia

Allied Chemical – Philadelphia

A.P. Green Refractory Company

Pennsylvania Railroad Company

Philadelphia Electric Company

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard

Standard Oil Company

Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock

Scott Paper Co. (Chester, Philadelphia)

Pittsburgh

Alcoa (Reynolds Metals

Armco

Carnegie Natural Gas Company – Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh (cont'd)

Jones and Laughlin Steel Works (Alquippa Works)

LTV Steel (Pittsburgh and Aliquippa)

Pennsylvania Railroad Company

Westinghouse Electric Corp – Pittsburgh

Other Pennsylvania Locations

AK Steel Butler Work (Butler)

Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, Johnstown)

Homestead Works (US Steel) (Homestead)

Hammermill Paper (Erie)

Reading Iron Works (Reading)

Sharon Steel Co. (Sharon)

Sun Oil (Chester, Marcus, Hook)

US Steel Corp (Duquesne, Clairton)

These are certainly not the only Pennsylvania locations where workers have experienced asbestos exposure. Regardless of where you or your loved one has resided, been employed, or served in the military in Pennsylvania, we can help you receive compensation for asbestos exposure.

ELSM Mesothelioma Clients in Pennsylvania

The lawyers of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen have represented mesothelioma clients all over the state of Pennsylvania. Our clients live in the towns and cities of Pennsylvania listed below:

Allentown, PA (2)

Allison Park, PA (2)

Barto, PA (1)

Beaver, PA (1)

Beaver Falls, PA (1)

Bellefonte, PA (1)

Bethel Park, PA (1)

Bethlehem, PA (1)

Bradford, PA (1)

Bulger, PA (1)

Butler, PA (1)

Clifton Township, PA (1)

Coal Center, PA (1)

Conneaut Lake, PA (1)

Corry, PA (1)

Cranberry Township, PA (1)

Dalton, PA (1)

Dover, PA (1)

Drums, PA (1)

Eagleville, PA (1)

Erie, PA (1)

Fairless Hills, PA (1)

Franklin, PA (1)

Gettysburg, PA (1)

Gladwyne, PA (1)

Glen Mills, PA (2)

Glenshaw, PA (1)

Greensburg, PA (2)

Hanover, PA (3)

Hatboro, PA (1)

Hauston, PA (1)

Hazleton, PA (3)

Hollsopple, PA (1)

Homer City, PA (1)

Hopwood, PA (1)

Hummelstown, PA (1)

Indiana, PA (1)

Johnstown, PA (3)

Kennett Square, PA (1)

Lafayette Hill, PA (2)

Landenberg, PA (1)

Langhorne, PA (1)

Lansdowne, PA (1)

Latrobe, PA (1)

Lattimer, PA (1)

Lebanon, PA (2)

Lititz, PA (1)

Mainsburg, PA (1)

Matamoras, PA (1)

McKean, PA (1)

Mercer, PA (1)

Milford, PA (1)

New Brighton, PA (1)

New Paris, PA (1)

Northampton, PA (1)

Old Forge, PA (1)

Orrtanna, PA (1)

Philadelphia, PA (1)

Phoenixville, PA (2)

Pittsburgh, PA (6)

Plains, PA (1)

Plymouth, PA (1)

Port Carbon, PA (1)

Pottstown, PA (1)

Quakertown, PA (1)

Quarryville, PA (1)

South Abington Township, PA (1)

Sayre, PA (1)

Schnecksville, PA (1)

Shamokin, PA (1)

Snow Shoe, PA (1)

Spring Grove, PA (1)

Sugarloaf, PA (1)

Tyron, PA (1)

Union City, PA (1)

Wapwallowpen, PA (1)

Warren, PA (1)

West Chester, PA (3)

Whitehall, PA (1)

Wind Gap, PA (1)

York, PA (1)

Settlements for Mesothelioma Clients Living in Pennsylvania

The following table represents a selection of the types of Pennsylvania mesothelioma clients our law firm has had the opportunity of helping to receive financial compensation.

State

Disease

Occupation / Exposure

Age

~ Monies to Date

PA

Mesothelioma

Air Force / Household

53

~$9,400,000

PA

Mesothelioma

Navy / Insulator

67

~$4,300,000

PA

Mesothelioma

Navy / Boilerman

54

~$4,200,000

PA

Mesothelioma

Plumber

79

~$3,600,000

PA

Mesothelioma

Railroad Worker

79

~$2,600,000

PA

Mesothelioma

Shipyard Worker

54

~$2,400,000

Please note that individual cases vary based upon a number of factors, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. If you have any questions about your legal rights, please contact us immediately.

Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for mesothelioma and asbestos claims is 2 years from the date of diagnosis. For wrongful death claims, victims’ families have 2 years from the time their loved one passes away to file a claim, according to the statute.

Because there is only a short time to gather evidence and file a claim, mesothelioma victims in Pennsylvania and their families must act quickly to find a lawyer who is experienced with asbestos-related claims. Failing to act before the statute of limitations runs out could result in a loss of rights to compensation for you or your family.

Talk with a Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyer Today

Request a Free Evaluation if you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma while living or working in Pennsylvania. Our legal team will travel to visit you at your convenience and at no cost to you. We understand how difficult a time this is for you and will assist in any way that we can. You can also call us toll-free at 1-800-336-0086.

Notice: This website and its content are sponsored by JAMES F. EARLY, LLC, a law firm specializing in asbestos injury litigation. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome. Please read our disclaimer for more information.